Chapter 6 “We Have Seen His Star”

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the
king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where
is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the East,
and are come to worship Him.”

The wise men from the East were philosophers. They belonged to a large and
influential class that included men of noble birth, and comprised much of
the wealth and learning of their nation. Among these were many who imposed
on the credulity of the people. Others were upright men who studied the
indications of Providence in nature, and who were honored for their
integrity and wisdom. Of this character were the wise men who came to Jesus.

The light of God is ever shining amid the darkness of heathenism. As these
magi studied the starry heavens, and sought to fathom the mystery hidden in
their bright paths, they beheld the glory of the Creator. Seeking clearer
knowledge, they turned to the Hebrew Scriptures. In their own land were
treasured prophetic writings that predicted the coming of a divine teacher.
Balaam belonged to the magicians, though at one time a prophet of God; by
the Holy Spirit he had foretold the prosperity of Israel and the appearing
of the Messiah; and his prophecies
60had been handed down by tradition from century to century. But in the Old
Testament the Saviour’s advent was more clearly revealed. The magi learned
with joy that His coming was near, and that the whole world was to be filled
with a knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

The wise men had seen a mysterious light in the heavens upon that night when
the glory of God flooded the hills of Bethlehem. As the light faded, a
luminous star appeared, and lingered in the sky. It was not a fixed star nor
a planet, and the phenomenon excited the keenest interest. That star was a
distant company of shining angels, but of this the wise men were ignorant.
Yet they were impressed that the star was of special import to them. They
consulted priests and philosophers, and searched the scrolls of the ancient
records. The prophecy of Balaam had declared, “There shall come a Star out
of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Num. 24:17. Could this
strange star have been sent as a harbinger of the Promised One? The magi had
welcomed the light of heaven-sent truth; now it was shed upon them in
brighter rays. Through dreams they were instructed to go in search of the
newborn Prince.

As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, “not knowing whither he
went” (Heb. 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the
Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour.
The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi did not set
out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to
princes or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the land afforded
were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were
to be blessed. It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the
star in view; but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional
sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every
pause for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened
that they were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an
outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit, which
was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The journey,
though long, was a happy one to them.

They have reached the land of Israel, and are descending the Mount of
Olives, with Jerusalem in sight, when, lo, the star that has guided them all
the weary way rests above the temple, and after a season fades from their
view. With eager steps they press onward, confidently expecting the
Messiah’s birth to be the joyful burden of every tongue. But their
61inquiries are in vain. Entering the holy city, they repair to the temple. To
their amazement they find none who seem to have a knowledge of the newborn
king. Their questions call forth no expressions of joy, but rather of
surprise and fear, not unmingled with contempt.

The priests are rehearsing traditions. They extol their religion and their
own piety, while they denounce the Greeks and Romans as heathen, and sinners
above others. The wise men are not idolaters, and in the sight of God they
stand far higher than do these, His professed worshipers; yet they are
looked upon by the Jews as heathen. Even among the appointed guardians of
the Holy Oracles their eager questionings touch no chord of sympathy.

The arrival of the magi was quickly noised throughout Jerusalem. Their
strange errand created an excitement among the people, which penetrated to
the palace of King Herod. The wily Edomite was aroused at the intimation of
a possible rival. Countless murders had stained his pathway to the throne.
Being of alien blood, he was hated by the people over whom he ruled. His
only security was the favor of Rome. But this new Prince had a higher claim.
He was born to the kingdom.

Herod suspected the priests of plotting with the strangers to excite a
popular tumult and unseat him from the throne. He concealed his mistrust,
however, determined to thwart their schemes by superior cunning. Summoning
the chief priests and the scribes, he questioned
62them as to the teaching of their sacred books in regard to the place of the
Messiah’s birth.

This inquiry from the usurper of the throne, and made at the request of
strangers, stung the pride of the Jewish teachers. The indifference with
which they turned to the rolls of prophecy enraged the jealous tyrant. He
thought them trying to conceal their knowledge of the matter. With an
authority they dared not disregard, he commanded them to make close search,
and to declare the birthplace of their expected King. “And they said unto
him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Herod now invited the magi to a private interview. A tempest of wrath and
fear was raging in his heart, but he preserved a calm exterior, and received
the strangers courteously. He inquired at what time the star had appeared,
and professed to hail with joy the intimation of the birth of Christ. He
bade his visitors, “Search diligently for the young child; and when ye have
found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also.” So
saying, he dismissed them to go on their way to Bethlehem.

The priests and elders of Jerusalem were not as ignorant concerning the
birth of Christ as they pretended. The report of the angels’ visit to the
shepherds had been brought to Jerusalem, but the rabbis had treated it as
unworthy of their notice. They themselves might have found Jesus, and might
have been ready to lead the magi to His birthplace; but instead of this, the
wise men came to call their attention to the birth of the Messiah. “Where is
He that is born King of the Jews?” they said; “for we have seen His star in
the East, and are come to worship Him.”

Now pride and envy closed the door against the light. If the reports brought
by the shepherds and the wise men were credited, they would place the
priests and rabbis in a most unenviable position, disproving their claim to
be the exponents of the truth of God. These learned teachers would not stoop
to be instructed by those whom they termed heathen. It could not be, they
said, that God had passed them by, to communicate
63with ignorant shepherds or uncircumcised Gentiles. They determined to show
their contempt for the reports that were exciting King Herod and all
Jerusalem. They would not even go to Bethlehem to see whether these things
were so. And they led the people to regard the interest in Jesus as a
fanatical excitement. Here began the rejection of Christ by the priests and
rabbis. From this point their pride and stubbornness grew into a settled
hatred of the Saviour. While God was opening the door to the Gentiles, the
Jewish leaders were closing the door to themselves.

The wise men departed alone from Jerusalem. The shadows of night were
falling as they left the gates, but to their great joy they again saw the
star, and were directed to Bethlehem. They had received no such intimation
of the lowly estate of Jesus as was given to the shepherds. After the long
journey they had been disappointed by the indifference of the Jewish
leaders, and had left Jerusalem less confident than when they entered the
city. At Bethlehem they found no royal guard stationed to protect the
newborn King. None of the world’s honored men were in attendance. Jesus was
cradled in a manger. His parents, uneducated peasants, were His only
guardians. Could this be He of whom it was written, that He should “raise up
the tribes of Jacob,” and “restore the preserved of Israel;” that He should
be “a light to the Gentiles,” and for “salvation unto the end of the earth”?
Isa. 49:6.

“When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His
mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him.” Beneath the lowly guise of Jesus,
they recognized the presence of Divinity. They gave their hearts to Him as
their Saviour, and then poured out their gifts,—“gold, and frankincense,
and myrrh.” What a faith was theirs!
64It might have been said of the wise men from the East, as afterward of the
Roman centurion, “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Matt.
8:10.

The wise men had not penetrated Herod’s design toward Jesus. When the object
of their journey was accomplished, they prepared to return to Jerusalem,
intending to acquaint him with their success. But in a dream they received a
divine message to hold no further communication with him. Avoiding
Jerusalem, they set out for their own country by another route.

In like manner Joseph received warning to flee into Egypt with Mary and the
child. And the angel said, “Be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod
will seek the young child to destroy Him.” Joseph obeyed without delay,
setting out on the journey by night for greater security.

Through the wise men, God had called the attention of the Jewish nation to
the birth of His Son. Their inquiries in Jerusalem, the popular interest
excited, and even the jealousy of Herod, which compelled the attention of
the priests and rabbis, directed minds to the prophecies concerning the
Messiah, and to the great event that had just taken place.

65

Satan was bent on shutting out the divine light from the world, and he used
his utmost cunning to destroy the Saviour. But He who never slumbers nor
sleeps was watching over His beloved Son. He who had rained manna from
heaven for Israel and had fed Elijah in the time of famine provided in a
heathen land a refuge for Mary and the child Jesus. And through the gifts of
the magi from a heathen country, the Lord supplied the means for the journey
into Egypt and the sojourn in a land of strangers.

The magi had been among the first to welcome the Redeemer. Their gift was
the first that was laid at His feet. And through that gift, what privilege
of ministry was theirs! The offering from the heart that loves, God delights
to honor, giving it highest efficiency in service for Him. If we have given
our hearts to Jesus, we also shall bring our gifts to Him. Our gold and
silver, our most precious earthly possessions, our highest mental and
spiritual endowments, will be freely devoted to Him who loved us, and gave
Himself for us.

Herod in Jerusalem impatiently awaited the return of the wise men. As time
passed, and they did not appear, his suspicions were roused. The
unwillingness of the rabbis to point out the Messiah’s birthplace seemed to
indicate that they had penetrated his design, and that the magi had
purposely avoided him. He was maddened at the thought. Craft had failed, but
there was left the resort to force. He would make an example of this
child-king. Those haughty Jews should see what they might expect in their
attempts to place a monarch on the throne.

Soldiers were at once sent to Bethlehem, with orders to put to death all the
children of two years and under. The quiet homes of the city of David
witnessed those scenes of horror that, six hundred years before, had been
opened to the prophet. “In Ramah was there a voice heard, lamentation, and
weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not
be comforted, because they are not.”

This calamity the Jews had brought upon themselves. If they had been walking
in faithfulness and humility before God, He would in a signal manner have
made the wrath of the king harmless to them. But they had separated
themselves from God by their sins, and had rejected the Holy Spirit, which
was their only shield. They had not studied the Scriptures with a desire to
conform to the will of God. They had searched for prophecies which could be
interpreted to exalt themselves, and to show how God despised all other
nations. It was their proud boast that the
66Messiah was to come as a king, conquering His enemies, and treading down the
heathen in His wrath. Thus they had excited the hatred of their rulers.
Through their misrepresentation of Christ’s mission, Satan had purposed to
compass the destruction of the Saviour; but instead of this, it returned
upon their own heads.

This act of cruelty was one of the last that darkened the reign of Herod.
Soon after the slaughter of the innocents, he was himself compelled to yield
to that doom which none can turn aside. He died a fearful death.

Joseph, who was still in Egypt, was now bidden by an angel of God to return
to the land of Israel. Regarding Jesus as the heir of David’s throne, Joseph
desired to make his home in Bethlehem; but learning that Archelaus reigned
in Judea in his father’s stead, he feared that the father’s designs against
Christ might be carried out by the son. Of all the sons of Herod, Archelaus
most resembled him in character. Already his succession to the government
had been marked by a tumult in Jerusalem, and the slaughter of thousands of
Jews by the Roman guards.

Again Joseph was directed to a place of safety. He returned to Nazareth, his
former home, and here for nearly thirty years Jesus dwelt, “that it might be
fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Galilee was under the control of a son of Herod, but it had a much larger
admixture of foreign inhabitants than Judea.
67Thus there was less interest in matters relating especially to the Jews, and
the claims of Jesus would be less likely to excite the jealousy of those in
power.

Such was the Saviour’s reception when He came to the earth. There seemed to
be no place of rest or safety for the infant Redeemer. God could not trust
His beloved Son with men, even while carrying forward His work for their
salvation. He commissioned angels to attend Jesus and protect Him till He
should accomplish His mission on earth, and die by the hands of those whom
He came to save.